Kennesaw State Football Preview, Best Players, Top Transfers, Season Prediction, Win Total 2024

Kennesaw State College Football Preview 2024

This can work, and it can work right away.

Jacksonville State was one of the more pleasant surprises in 2023 as it made the move up from the FCS world to FBS status. Sam Houston might be the comp, though, for Kennesaw State.

The Bearkats were an FCS power, prepped for the move up in status by reserving a slew of key parts to preserve a year of eligibility, and then … it was a rough year. They couldn’t pull off wins in close games in an 0-8 start, and then it all started to work with wins in three of the last four weeks.

That might mirror Kennesaw State in its first run.

The Owl football program has only been around since 2015, but Brian Bohannon quickly created a success with four appearances in the FCS Playoffs thanks to a fantastic option running attack.

But things slipped in 2022, also year was a 3-6 run as an independent - again, lots of players sat; you’ll see plenty of references to key guys who played four games - and now it’s time to gear it back up.

There’s experience, the coaching, and the history are there. The wins might take a little bit to come around, but Kennesaw State should be dangerous because of …

Kennesaw State Football Preview 2024: Offense

- The offense needs more pop, and that’s where experience has to matter. The Owls didn’t have much of a consistent passing attack with their dangerous option ground game handling most of the work. That’s fine, but the third down conversions have to come and the O needs to control the clock more.

- It would be nice to get more out of the downfield passing game. Again, this O doesn’t rely on moving through the air, but the top targets will get deep. That’s where Gabriel Benyard comes in. He only played four games last year and led the team with 333 receiving yards and four scores, averaging almost 24 yards per grab.

Davis Bryson also played in just four games, and he only completed 2-of-11 passes for 53 yards. He’s a dangerous runner, though, averaging 8.6 yards pre carry, but it’s a thin bench with Braden Bohannon the only main backup for now.

- The offensive front gets back three starters and welcomes in a few nice parts from the transfer portal. Nathan Wright is a 265-pound tackle who Canmore, Darron Willis is a veteran on the other side, and there’s beef in the interior.

Bryson and the quarterbacks will carry more of the rushing load, but Michael Benefield should lead the team on the ground again after leading the team with 546 yards averaging over six yards per carry. Alexander Diggs and Yesiah Clemons can both move when they get to the outside.

Kennesaw State Football Preview 2024: Defense

- The offense wasn’t its normally sharp self throughout last season, but the defense did a good job overall - it allowed over 24 points just three times. The linebacking corps should be the star for a dangerous group that can move.

All three starters from the end of last year are back around Donelius Johnson in the middle. He led the team with 48 tackles with two picks - and should do a whole lot more this year.

Jalen Barnum was fourth on the team in tackles - he’s like a safety playing linebacker - and Jamar Rucks should be a statistical star after being one of the team’s four-gamers.

- The defensive front is alway returning veterans, and there’s a good mix to hope for a strong rotation. 315-pound Tyler Scott is back on the inside taking up space, and Jordan Miles and Ugonna Nwoha are among the team’s better pass rushing options.

- The secondary loses leading tackler Deontre Morris to Houston, but the safeties are promising around Sidney Porter, and the corners are now relatively loaded. JeRico Washington made a team-high three picks in just four games, and Jayven Williams is a tall, versatile option who made 23 stops in his four appearances.

Key To The Kennesaw State Football Season

Start converting third down chances.
The Owl offense has to control the clock and take over games by using its option attack to go on long marches. Last year’s offense struggled to move the chains, converting on just 32% of its chances and had the ball less than 30 minutes a game.

By contrast, the 2022 team converted 42% of its tries and kept the offense on the field for almost 35 minutes per game.

Kennesaw State Key Player

Davis Bryson, QB Soph.
Forget the passing ability and the two completed throws in his limited time last year - he can move. He’s not all that big - just 5-9 and 190 pounds - but with his ultra-quick style he’ll rip off yards in chunks.

Kennesaw State Football Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss

Top Transfer In: Donovan Westmoreland, LB Soph.
He didn’t do much in his two seasons with South Carolina - he got on the field - but with his 6-1, 230-pound size and burst he should be an instant factor in the outside linebacker rotation.

Top Transfer Out: Deontre Morris, S Sr.
The Owl secondary should have enough parts to be okay, but Morris was the team’s leading tackler and made two picks from his free safety spot. The range and hitting ability will be missed now that he’s at Georgia Southern.

Kennesaw State Key Game

Jacksonville State, Oct. 4
It would be a really, really big deal for Kennesaw State to open up the Conference USA season with a win over a good Jacksonville State team that should be a factor in the conference chase.

It’s a home game for the Owls coming before a week off, and then it’s three road games in four weeks.

10 Best Kennesaw State Football Players

1. Gabriel Benyard, WR Jr.
2. Donelius Johnson, LB Soph.
3. Michael Benefield, RB Sr.
4. Jordan Miles, DE Jr.
5. Jayven Williams, CB Soph.
6. JeRico Washington, CB RFr.
7. Davis Bryson, QB Soph.
8. Jalen Barnum, LB Sr.
9. Carson Kent, TE Soph.
10. Darron Willis, OT Sr.

Kennesaw State 2023 Fun Stats

- Fumbles: Opponents 13 (lost 5), Kennesaw State 11 (lost 2)

- Field Goals: Opponents 10-of-13, Kennesaw State 5-of-13

- Rushing TDs: Kennesaw State 21, Opponents 9

Kennesaw State Football 2024 Win Total Prediction: What to Expect This Season

It’ll be a tough run early on, but there aren’t any games against Power Four programs, and there’s nothing that’s an absolute “can’t win” on the slate.

Going to UTSA will be tough, and the trip to San Jose State will be a problem, but with the Owl style of offense it’ll be a nasty out for teams trying to get the run defense in place early.

It stinks that Kennesaw State doesn’t get New Mexico State in Conference USA play, but overall the slate isn’t too bad. There’s no road game for a month just after things get going, and there should be a few upsets thrown into the mix on the road.

Assume a win over UT Martin, and a home win will come somewhere - like against FIU and/or Sam Houston. There will be a base of a few victories in a stepping-stone first year.

Don’t expect anything amazing right away, but getting to four wins is a solid goal. Five or more would be amazing.

Set The Kennesaw State Win Total At … 3

Likely Wins: UT Martin

50/50 Games: FIU, Jacksonville State, Louisiana, at Louisiana Tech, at Middle Tennessee, at San Jose State, Sam Houston, at UTEP

Likely Losses: Liberty, at UTSA, at WKU

2024 Kennesaw State Football Schedule

Aug 31 at UTSA
Sept 7 Louisiana
Sept 14 at San Jose State
Sept 21 OPEN DATE
Sept 28 UT Martin
Oct 4 Jacksonville State
Oct 12 OPEN DATE
Oct 15 at Middle Tennessee
Oct 23 Liberty
Oct 30 at WKU
Nov 9 at UTEP
Nov 16 Sam Houston
Nov 23 FIU
Nov 30 at Louisiana Tech
Missing: New Mexico State